Job losses at Hastings Direct and RHM Frozen Foods

RHM Frozen Foods is expected to close next week with the loss of more than 100 jobs at the Beeching Road trading estate.

And about 25 jobs will go at Hastings Direct.

The Collington Avenue insurance provider says it is hoping to restrict staff losses to 'a handful' and that other staff will be offered re-location.

RHM - part of the Premier Frozen Food Group - has been a major employer in the local area with approximately 70 Bexhill residents on its staff.

The Observer reported on the risk to RHM jobs last month.

This week, the company declined to respond to enquiries about closure plans revealed by Observer sources.

In a previous statement a spokesman for RHM blamed the closure, on "strong price competition, highly efficient competitors and a decline in the overall market."

In addition RHM is to close its site in Doncaster along with transport and head office operations in Gillingham.

With the prospect of so many job losses so close to Christmas, Premier said: "We will try and find redeployment opportunities for as many of the affected staff as possible but there has been no confirmation on numbers."

Premier Foods acquired RHM earlier this year and employs over 20,000 people in 60 locations throughout the UK.